WHAT IS AWANA?
" 2 Timothy 2 verse 15"
Awana is an International Inter-denominational Bible centred children’s ministry which is committed to reaching boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and training them to serve Him. Awana is an acronym of the first letters for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed” derived from 2 Timothy 2:15.
Blantyre Baptist Church runs AWANA Ministry with an aim of reaching boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ to train them to know, love and serve Him. The Church got chartered with Awana Clubs International (ACI) in 1998 and it has been a model to other churches for many years so much so that it (the Awana Programme) was initially misconstrued as a ministry for Baptist Church that only embodied Baptist Convention doctrines. From 2008 other denominations started running the programme after sensitization through their pastors.
AWANA CALENDAR
The Awana Clubs International calendar runs from March to February. However, since children attending Awana Clubs are school goers, Blantyre Baptist Church Awana Ministry follows the Malawi national school calendar which runs from September to July.
SPARKS CLUB
Sparks Club for levels (grades) one through three. This level also includes reception class (age 5 years). The Sparks are the youngest of the clubbers in the Awana club. As the spark is the first sign of the light to come when a match is lit, so our ‘sparkies’ are trained and taught to be the spark light to the world.
FLAMES CLUB
Flames Club for levels four and five. As the spark of light lit by the match grows into a flame when properly cared for, it is our vision to see our ‘sparkies’ mature into a ‘flame’; burning light for Christ.
TORCHES CLUB
Torches Club for levels six and seven or eight in public schools. These are the oldest of the clubbers. By this time, our ‘flame’ has fully grown and is challenged to serve, and finally it is a torch to light up a wide area as in the Bible times (Judges 7:20). Our torches are now ready and equipped to shine fully to the world around them knowing that they are the bearers of the light to the world.
What happens in an Awana Club Meeting?
The club meets for two hours on a Saturday and includes;
Leaders’ prayer meeting, preparation and announcements (15 minutes). Therefore leaders need to meet at 8:40 a.m. for this segment.
Flag Ceremony or opening ceremony at 9 a.m.
The following activities take place under Flag Ceremony:
- Opening prayer
- Recitation of Awana key verse (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Recitation of a Pledge to the Bible
- Recitation of a Pledge to the Awana Flag
- Singing of Awana theme song
- Reminder for theme of the week
- Announcements
- Testimonies
Council Time
This segment takes 30 to 40 minutes. Its purpose is to present the Bible message to the clubbers. Clubbers and leaders gather together for a Bible lesson. Other activities include singing, telling of a weekly story, introduction of a key verse or memory verse and prayer.
Handbook Time also known as Team Time
During this time clubbers are divided into small groups. The purpose is to review and recite Bible verses and other achievements from the Awana handbooks. Leaders help clubbers understand what the verses mean not mere recitation. Handbook awards are earned during this time.
Game Time
This is a fun time. It attracts new boys and girls to Awana club and brings them back week after week. Games are competed in team colours of Blue, Green, Red and Yellow. Awana games are contained in Awana Game Handbook.
Snack Time
This is the time that clubbers refresh by having orange squash and a snack. After this a prayer is said and the clubbers are discharged.
Who sponsors Awana Clubs?
Churches, missions, and/or mission agencies chartered with Awana Clubs International may order materials and receive training in organizing local clubs. Blantyre Baptist Church sponsors its Awana Ministry. While our facilities and equipment are supplied by the church, each clubber is asked to weekly dues to help defray the costs of treats and special supplies.
AWANA LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
The Pastor
Has the ultimate responsibility for and authority over the entire Awana Club Programme. Ofcourse he does not have to be involved personally in all the weekly meetings.
The Programme Director
The Director
Leaders
The Club Secretary
Assists the club Director with record keeping, ordering supplies and other organizational duties.
Treasurer
Helpers
AWANA DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
The Bible
We believe that the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is supernaturally inspired, so that it is inerrant in the original manuscripts and preserved by God in its verbal and plenary inspiration, so that it is a divinely authoritative standard for every age and every life. Matthew 5:18; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)
God
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
Man
Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe that man is justified by grace through faith apart from works and that all true believers, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever. (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 4:5, 6:23, 8:1, 38-39; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Church
The Ordinances
The Christian Life
The Second Coming
Years Of Experience
Feel Free to Contact us any time
OUR MISSION
To obey the Greatest Commandment and to fulfil the Great Commission.
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PRAYER LINE
Line 1: +265 881 913 715
Line 2: +265 994 453 325
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Email: prayer@blantryrebaptist.org
SUNDAY SERVICES
ENGLISH SERVICE 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
CHICHEWA SERVICE 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
ENGLISH SERVICE 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM